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Agile Working

“Agile working” – that is the phrase being coined by AECOM to describe the dramatic change in
working habits compared with 30 years ago and driven by modern technological
innovation.

In their report
on the subject, AECOM elaborates on the liberation of office employees from the
shackles of desktop PC’s, with laptops, tablets, smart phones and wireless
networks enabling people to work on the move, from trains, coffee shops or even
from home or abroad.

AECOM’s report has constructed a cost model based on their
own time utilisation study; this study, which was designed to measure how space
in workplaces is used, demonstrates that only 42% of a typical work day is
spent using the desktop workspace. This reflects the varying tasks that are
required in modern, dynamic workplaces. Staff will undertake many activities often
involving using different parts of the office, which means that the traditional
layout of offices based around use of desktop PC’s does not provide the best
use of space. All of this has given rise to the idea of the “agile work-space” and
fit-outs are starting to reflect this trend.

The report also details the implications of this new style
of office layout in terms of cost. An extensive cost model sets this out and is
a valuable tool for occupiers considering this approach themselves.